Thursday, March 10, 2011

Cinderella....inspiration as old as the Fairy Tale

When I think of what inspires me to create a smocking design, I have to say the ideas come from everywhere.

Before I started designing smocking designs, I actually had time to make special birthday cakes for my daugher Aimee. While looking through a special recipe box recently, I came across a photo of Aimee's fourth birthday cake.....Cinderella!

The "carriage" is made using a sugar mold intended to make those wonderful Easter panorama sugar eggs. It is nestled in a bed of pastel roses. The "wheels" of the carriage are actually the top rims of small Dixie Cups.

I only wish I had saved the Cinderella topper. Aimee wanted to play with it and we all know how that turns out. It was a beautiful plastic figurine made by Wilton but was a copy of a porcelain Cinderella figurine by Lladro.

Sadly, I have to say, I don't think we will see this quality in a simple little cake topper.

Wilton still has the sugar molds.

So....would you consider this to be "Vintage" as it was thirty years ago? Like so many wonderful stories....it is vintage, but in the most special way!

10 comments:

How beautiful! What a treat; thank you for sharing it with us. A friend gave me a few Creative Needle magazines from the early '90s, and I found your Antique Teddy Bear smocking plate in it. I love it and can't wait to use it!

I also just put up a Greek Spinach & Olive pasta salad that is especially tasty if you love garlic. Both are very easy!

Wait till you see the red-white & blue pettiskirt I have been sewing for DAYS for my sweet Caroline! OMGosh, those things are worth every penny that people charge for them. She fell in love with the one in the Chasing Fireflies catalog & I foolishly said "I can make that!" LOL

Only for a granddaughter!!Have a safe & happy 4th of July holiday!Hugs,Rett

Ooops...forgot to say I don't have ANY tips on growing peonies. :/ These are old, old roots that came from my childhood home, to my parents second home & then to my sister's homes, then to mine 5 years ago. They get morning sun & are in the shade in the afternoon.Never fertilized them. I always cut off all the blooms, just because I want to enjoy that wonderful smell! Maybe that helps to dead head them??? Sorry I can't be of more help.

Gwen Milner

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About Me

I'm a Southern girl, 64 years young, who loves my family and home. I am a wife, mother, sister and friend. Born in the Deep South and grew up while traveling with my Air Force husband, Dave. After 29 years, Dave retired from the Air Force and we have settled back in Georgia where we met. I have designed needlework but I really am a wannabe artist. I enjoy music, art, gardening, a “To Do” list that’s never ending and most of all playing with my grandchildren. I often say to Emma and Austin, “How did I get so lucky?” They always answer with the most precious smiles. I have a great respect for our heritage and try in my own little way to keep that Southern thread weaving through our lives.